11 of the best electric bikes for effortless adventuring

1. VanMoof S3

With its minimalist design and sturdy build, this well-priced Dutch bike is a top all-round choice. It has a 90-mile range and picks up speed quickly. It comes with an integral magnetic lock, alarm and GPS tracker.

£1,798; vanmoof.com

2. Moustache Lundi 20

E-cargo bikes are increasingly popular for city living, and though pricey, offer a cheaper alternative to a car. The Lundi 20 supports up to 70kg on the rear rack, with a full range of compatible accessories from baskets to baby carriers. The 20in wheels give excellent agility and, with two 500Wh batteries, it has a huge range.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

from £4,299; fullycharged.com

3. Temple Classic Electric

One for traditionalists, the Temple Classic Electric has a Brooks leather saddle, but also the latest tech with a Bafang 250W motor and five adjustable assistance levels. It has a removable 504Wh battery offering a good range of up to 120km and, owing to a high-quality aluminium frame, it weighs just 19kg.

£3,185; temple-electric.com

4. Cowboy 4

The Belgian start-up Cowboy makes urban bikes in both step-over and step-through models that have a wireless charging mount for your phone. Light and surprisingly simple, they have no buttons, screens or gears; and the 360Wh battery is removable.

£2,490; uk.cowboy.com

5. Wau X Plus

The new Wau X Plus claims to be the longest-range e-bike in the world: its 900Wh Samsung lithium-ion battery can go for up to 100 miles on a single charge, with a full recharge taking just six hours. There is a cheaper 40-mile, 375Wh option (£1,890) available too.

£2,490; waubike.com

6. Cytronex

If you want to electrify your own bike, Cytronex, based in Winchester, has this super-lightweight kit which cunningly disguises a 198Kh battery as a water bottle fitted to the downtube. The whole thing, including a front-wheel hub motor, weighs in at just 3kg.

£995; cytronex.com

7. Ribble Hybrid AL e

Ribble’s sleek and stylish hybrid model is great for a city commute or longer weekend rides. It has a 60-mile range and weighs just 13kg.

from £2,199; ribblecycles.co.uk

8. Raleigh Motus Crossbar

The Raleigh’s clever Bosch motor slowly introduces itself as you pedal faster, creating a particularly smooth ride. This is a practical and well-equiped bike for everyday commuting with a range of up to 80 miles.

£1,900; raleigh.co.uk

9. Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0

Weighing in at just 15kg thanks to its aluminium alloy frame, this is an impressive advanced bike with an 80-mile maximum range. It feels very natural to ride and the only display is well hidden on the crossbar.

£2,900; rutlandcycling.com

10. Brompton M2L 2 Speed Electric Folding Bike

Brompton has cleverly integrated smooth electric assistance into a little folding bike by putting a battery in a bag above the front wheel.

£2,885; pureelectric.com

11. Gtech eBike City

For those hoping not to break the bank, Gtech’s City and Sport models are both impressive. The City is less powerful than most electric bikes, but is easy to use and has a 30-mile range.

£995; gtech.co.uk